Search and Rescue Operation Launched
A coordinated search-and-rescue mission is currently under way off the coast of Pakistan after a K2 Airways cargo plane went missing late Tuesday night. The Boeing 737, which was traveling from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates to Karachi, lost contact with air traffic control shortly after reporting a technical issue.
According to the Pakistan Airports Authority, the aircraft reported a navigational system problem at 9:18 p.m. local time. Despite efforts by air traffic controllers to assist the crew, communication was severed three minutes later. The flight was approximately 287 kilometers west of Karachi at the time of the incident.
Flight Data Indicates Rapid Descent
Flight-tracking service Flightradar24 recorded erratic behavior in the aircraft’s final moments. Data shows the plane experienced sharp altitude fluctuations, including a plunge of 5,000 feet in less than a minute, followed by a brief 6,000-foot surge. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft entered a steep, abnormal descent, with the final transmitted data point indicating a vertical rate of 22,400 feet per minute at an altitude of 1,100 feet above sea level.
K2 Airways, a Karachi-based freight carrier, confirmed that five crew members—including a pilot, first officer, load master, and two engineers—were on board. The company stated it is fully cooperating with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority and relevant government agencies to determine the cause of the disappearance.
Context and Aircraft History
The aircraft involved is a 27-year-old converted freighter that entered service with K2 Airways in 2024. Prior to joining the carrier, the plane had a long operational history with various international airlines, including Aeroflot and Garuda Indonesia. Industry experts note that while the 737 family has a long history, this specific model predates the 737 MAX series involved in recent aviation safety crises.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the fate of the crew, though the flight data suggests a possible crash into the sea southwest of Karachi. Search teams are currently combing the area as the investigation into the navigational failure continues.